Summer Tires vs All Season vs ATs

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jeepmag

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Title says it all. I am up in Northern New England with my new-to-me '01 Wrangler on 16" Rubicon rims. I have a great set of winter tires, but now comes time to switch and I need to get a new set for the sun and rain.

For the next two or three years, I will be spending most of my summers on pavement. About two to four times a month I'll be driving 5-6 hours between Northern New England and Manhattan.

So my question is: What tires would be best for this situation? Summers? All Seasons? Are ATs now comparable to All Seasons for summer use? What would give the most "comfort" riding 65/70mph down the highway?

My understanding is:
Summers are great for handling and offer a minor increase in MPG, but compared to all seasons don't make a significant difference in highway drive quality. All seasons are more durable and will last longer (especially when used as a 'summer tire').

All Terrains would be nice, allowing me to sneak onto a trail every now and then, but I don't see the benefit to them if I am only making it out maybe once a summer in the near future, especially if they are much more expensive than comparable all seasons

Thoughts? Recommendations?
 
I have BFG K02s on my TJ here in the Boston area. Only issue is they lock up real easy under heavy braking on wet or dry pavement. No ABS so I drive accordingly. Other than that no problems.
 
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N757KF said:
I have BFG K02s on my TJ here in the Boston area. Only issue is they lock up real easy under heavy braking on wet or dry pavement. No ABS so I drive accordingly. Other than that no problems.
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How do you find them on the highway? Any prolonged drives on those?
 
Been up to Sugarloaf in Maine a few times (4 hours) without any issues. It’s about a 59/50 highway/2-lane drive. I should probably point out my TJ is mainly stock with only 1.25” body lift.
Tires are 31”x10.5 with 3.73 diff, 5-speed NV3550, Golen 4.6 stroker.
 
Learn something new all the time, what is a “summer” tire? Just a standard all around tire? If so guess I’ll lean towards an all season. We run KM3 and Toyo M/S all year round.
 
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Danarch said:
Learn something new all the time, what is a “summer” tire? Just a standard all around tire? If so guess I’ll lean towards an all season. We run KM3 and Toyo M/S all year round.
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There are tires, especially performance tires for sporting cars, not rated for all seasons. They are not good to run in winter, even without snow, due to the rubber composition.
 
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My wife’s JKU is our road trip rig for now. We tow a tin can camper with it. I run a good set of Michelin All Season tires Not sure the model and she’s out now but go for highway performance if your running Boston to NYC regularly.


It’s a Michelin LTX M/S 2

image.jpg
 
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Im running 33x12.5x15 Falken Wildpeak AT3s on my TJ, and will be putting the AT4s on my JT soon. They are a very quiet tire, are 3 peak weather rated, can be had in load range C (both the ones on the TJ, and the ones I'll be installing on the JT are C), and have great warranties (50k on the AT3, 60k on the AT4). They balanced very easily, have held the balance.

Previously I had 31x10.5x15 BFG All Terrain (2013 date coded, before the KO designation was added) and had a couple gripes with them. They were louder than the AT3s, and as mentioned above, they allowed brake lockup WAY too easily, I skidded through a couple intersections when raining, the AT3s have a great grip no matter what the roads are doing.
 
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MutantNinjaTJ said:
If it were me, I would put on some KO2's and not look back, they will work for all your needs you listed.
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I agree with this. My wife had them in her JKU and they worked fine overall. Didn’t care for them off roading in snow and rocks but everything else they worked great.
 
Original from last summer pickup in Orlando area
HlFN4vB.jpg


Go on FB marketplace for your area
A large % of new Jeep Wrangler buyers immediately take off the OEM rims and tires and dump them for sale.

City markets are saturated with them enough that I got 2 sets within months of buying my TJ. I put JK rims on with used mud tires, but chasing steering problems I didnt care for them on pavement

Two months later bought 2022 Sahara rims and NEW all season tires on for $600. Waaaay nicer pavement ride

JK used rims with used mud tires (31”) $500
q83eEET.jpg


JL new rims with new all season tires (32”) $600
VgXwk8z.jpg


By the way the OEM wheels and tires are very good condition if anyone wants them free, theyre yours Im gonna toss them this summer
 
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CreepinDeth said:
Original from last summer pickup in Orlando area
View attachment 517132

Go on FB marketplace for your area
A large % of new Jeep Wrangler buyers immediately take off the OEM rims and tires and dump them for sale.

City markets are saturated with them enough that I got 2 sets within months of buying my TJ. I put JK rims on with used mud tires, but chasing steering problems I didnt care for them on pavement

Two months later bought 2022 Sahara rims and NEW all season tires on for $600. Waaaay nicer pavement ride

JK used rims with used mud tires (31”) $500
View attachment 517131

JL new rims with new all season tires (32”) $600
View attachment 517129

By the way the OEM wheels and tires are very good condition if anyone wants them free, theyre yours Im gonna toss them this summer
Click to expand...

same here they are a dime a dozen where did you get your spacer to change lug pattern ?
 
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